Fire-escape



(No Model.)

P. SIMON;

FIRE ESCAPE.

No. 396,242. Patented Jan. 15. 1889.

N. Finns. Phokv'ljlwnnpher. W-nhmglon. D. c.

UNITED STATES JACOB PETER sIMoN, or

PATENT OFFICE.

GRIGSBYS BLUFF, TEXAS.

Fl RE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 396,242, dated January 15, 1889.

Application filed October 16, 1888. Serial No. 288,197- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J ACOB PETER SIMON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grigsbys Bluff, in the county of Jefferson and State of Texas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a fire-escape consisting, essentially, of a cushion adapted to receive and break the fall of persons jumping from a burning building, the said cushion being so constructed as to enable it to be folded to a convenient and portable size.

The invention consists in a certain novel construction and combination of devices, fully set forth hereinafter in connection with the accompanying drawings, and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the fire-escape embodying my improvements. Fig. '2 is a sectional view of the same on the line a: a: of Fig. Fig.3 is a horizontal sectional view of the device on line y y, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a side view of the same in its closed or folded position.

Referring by letter to the drawings, A designates a pneumatic cushion, consisting of the" top B, the bottom 0, and the flexible sides D, adapted to be folded or extended. The bottom is provided at its center wit-h. the upwardlyopening valve E, adapted to admit the air when the top is raised; and F F represent small downwardly-opening valves, which fit over openings G G in the bottom of the pneumatic cushion. The valves F F areprovided with arms or handles f f, which project outwardly to the outer edge of the bottom, and they are engaged at suitable points by the springs H H, which normally hold the valves closed.

It will be readily seen that when a heavy weight is precipitated upon the top of the cushion the latter will be compressed, and a portion of the air will be expelled through the openings G G.

I represents a secondary bottom, which is arranged a short distance below the bottom 0, and a series of coiled springs, K K, are arranged between the said bottoms, to aid in breaking or deadening the shock caused by the fall of a person on the cushion.

On the upper side of the top B is arranged a pad or cushion, L, filled with cotton, hair, or any other suitable soft material.

The edges of the top are provided with rings or links M M, which are adapted, when the pneumatic cushion is compressed, to be tom or secondary bottom.

hen the device is to be folded, the handles of the valves F are operated to open the valves and allow the free escape of the confined air.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. In a fire-escape, the cushion provided with flexible sides and having an inlet-valve and outlet-openin gs G, substantially as specifled.

2. In a fire-escape, the pneumatic cushion A, having its bottom provided with an inletvalve and outlet-openings G, the secondary bottom arranged under the said cushion, and

the springs disposed between the secondary bottom and the bottom of the cushion, substantially as specified.

3. In a fire-escape, the combination, with the pneumatic cushion comprising the top B, provided with a pad or cushion, L, the bottom provided with an inlet-valve, E, and outletopenings G, and the flexible sides connecting the said top and bottom, of the rings or loops attached to the top and adapted to engage hooks at the bottom of the cushion, whereby it may be held in a compressed position, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JACOB PETER SIMON.

lVitn esses J. F. KLINE,

THos. H. LANGHAM.

engaged with suitable hooks, N N, on the bot- 

